Tools to add Google+ info to your press release’s search results

Google even emphasizes this specific content more than regular Web pages. It’s called Google+ Authorship, and those search results are enriched with the name, Google Plus account summary, and avatar of the specific author. Because it’s also possible to connect this content to a Google Plus business page, it’s ideal for giving an online press release more visibility when it shows up in Google’s search results.

Even better, by connecting it to Google+ info, Google is suggesting that an active Google+ account could boost the visibility of your posts. This could mean that companies get more control of promotion for their corporate content and even have the opportunity to “mark” the result with their own corporate logo.

Be careful

Before you implement anything of this post, please also check other posts about the subject and test it all in a safe environment. Google is pretty unpredictable in terms of which results it shows and doesn’t show. And think of the obvious:

• If the website on which you publish your release has the exact same domain as one of the email addresses which are connected to your Google Plus account, they’re automatically linked.

• If the first method isn’t an option for your situation, you can connect your content manually.

Tools

How can you implement the latter method with the online newsroom tools that you’re using to publish your releases? It takes a little coding. Add this to your release in an HTML field:

<a href="”[profile_url]?rel=author”">Google</a>

I prefer to add the code to the bio information on my site, though most online newsroom tools don’t give you the option to show a bio-text, only basic credentials.
Here are my recommendations for the most popular online newsroom tools out there:

WordPress

Add the Google+ author code to the bio of the user. Make sure that the username of that profile is exactly the same as the matching Google+ account. Log in to your Google+ account, go to the “About” section, and scroll down to where you can add the websites to which you’re contributing. Add the full website address, not links to single pages.

MyNewsDesk

Add the code as a link to the general newsroom. When logged in, go on the right side of the menu to “Newsroom,” then “Newsroom settings.” On the right side of the page you’ll find the section labeled “Links.” Add a link. Use “Google+” as link text and ”[profile_url]?rel=author” as the URL. Log in to your Google+ account, go to the “About” section, and scroll down to where you can add the websites to which you’re contributing. Again, add the full website address.

PressPage

Add the code as a link to the boilerplate of a case or release. When logged in, edit the specific case. When you scroll down the page, you’ll find the section labeled “Boilerplate.” Add a link underneath the original Boilerplate text. Use“Google+” as link text and ”[profile_url]?rel=author” as the URL. Log in to your Google+ account, go to the “About” section, and scroll down to where you can add the websites to which you’re contributing. Again, add the full website address.

You could also ask the PressPage team to add the link somewhere in the design template.

PitchEngine

Add the code as a link to the standard content of a press release. In the main content field, add a link at the end of your release text by clicking on the “Insert hyperlink” icon. Put “Google+” in the text field and ”[profile_url]?rel=author” in the Web address field. Log in to your Google+ account, go to the “About” section, and scroll down to where you can add the websites to which you’re contributing. Again, add the full website address.

PressKing

Add the code as a link to the description in “My contact information.” When logged in, go to “My press releases” and add or edit your Press Release. When you scroll down the page you’ll find the link “My contact information.” Click it and on the next page please click on “edit” next to your company information. In the field underneath “Please describe your company,” add a link to your main company description. Put “Google+” in the text field and ”[profile_url]?rel=author” in the Web address field. Log in to your Google+ account, go to the “About” section, and scroll down to where you can add the websites to which you’re contributing. Again, add the full website address.

Prezly

Add the code as a link to the standard content of a press release. In the main content field, add a link at the end of your release text by clicking on the “Insert hyperlink” icon. Put “Google+” in the text field and ”[profile_url]?rel=author” in the Web address field. Log in to your Google+ account, go to the “About” section, and scroll down to where you can add the websites to which you’re contributing. Again, add the full website address.

PressDoc

Add the code as a “Relevant link” to each release. When logged in, go to your pressroom and choose to edit your release. Under“Relevant link,” put “Google+” as link title and ”[profile_url]?rel=author” as the URL. Log in to your Google+ account, go to the “About” section, and scroll down to where you can add the websites to which you’re contributing. Again, add the full website address.

Sebastian Plasschaert is an IT specialist and trainer working in the Netherlands. A version of this story originally appeared on the PR Scan blog and is connected to his Google+ account.